31 Juli 2017

Produstion and testing of VY-4/MBT-3000 for Royal Thai Army (all photos : AAG)A special documentary of CCTV in China, broadcast on July 28th. Reported on the development of China's new main tank on the occasion of the People's Liberation Army Day on August 1, the CCTV special report released the production line. Road and terrain testing Include the test of artillery tank of the main tank. VT4 (MBT-3000) manufactured by Norinco plant in China.

It is known that the main VT4 Chinese tank is the export customer country 28 cars in the amount of Baht 4,984 million contracted in the year 2016 and the second set of 11 cars, about 2 billion baht in the fiscal year 2017. As seen in the documentary footage, it is seen that the main VT4 tank in dark green primer composition was completed, tested in terrain and tested the artillery tank and then reached the 16th car by installing the latest vehicle prototype systems. For example, a Heavy Weapon Station, and at least one tank with a three-color camouflage like the Woodland NATO, which corresponds to the information that the unit was supposed to destroy. The 6th Cavalry Battalion 6th Cavalry Regiment 3rd Cavalry Brigade

The VT4 main tank system shown in the image is very modern. By the station, the commanding officer and the gunner station had a color display. Equipped with the Battlefield Management System, the same level as the new mainstream tanks, the M1A2, Leopard 2A7, Leclerc and T-90MS, etc. (with or without the same level of performance). With production rates such as those shown in the documentary, it is possible that China will be able to deliver its first VT4 main tank to the Army. Thailand this year and the technology transfer, which is faster and more modern than the mainstream Oplot tank from Ukraine, which was provided before.

Since being given the first car of the year 2014, the 2nd Cavalry Battalion The Oplot maintains 25 main infantry divisions, which also replace the main M48A5. It also includes the M60A3 Main Tank upgrade by the Israeli Elbit Systems Company of the 5th Cavalry Battalion, the 2nd Cavalry Corps, which is equipped with a color display for shooting in the car.

To be upgrade with the budget is available 2014 is now the 2nd Cavalry Battalion. The Oplot maintains 25 main infantry divisions, which also replace the main M48A5. It also includes the M60A3 main battle tank of the 5th Cavalry Battalion,upgrade by the Israeli company Elbit Systems in the 2nd Cavalry Corps, which is equipped with a color display for shooting in the car. To be upgrade when budget is available.(AAG)

EMB-314 Super Tucano COIN aircraft (photo : Felipe BM)Export of Super Tucanos to the Philippines can be quadrupledDepending on how the delivery of the first batch of six EMB-314 Super Tucano aircraft to Philippine Military Aviation, and above all how this is reported to the (controversial) president Rodrigo Duterte, this export to the Asian country can be quadrupled.According to the INSIDER column, Embraer, the manufacturer of A-29 Super Tucano, has been informed, unofficially, that the Philippine Air Force Modernization Program envisages replacing not only the reconnaissance and ground-attack twin engines OV- 10 Bronco, of American manufacture, but also of the turboprops SF-260TP, of Italian origin.This means that all material from the 16th and 17th Attack Squadrons of the 15th Air Wing, based at Danilo Atienza Air Base , Sangley Point, Cavite, on the outskirts of Manila, will be renovated. A more than encouraging prospect for the Brazilian company.Embraer is still waiting for this year to sign the contract for the supply of the first six aircraft, within the Horizon 1 Phase of the Modernization Program. The Super Tucanos will need to be delivered to the Asian country in 2019.The remaining 18 aircraft will be acquired under the Horizon 2 Phase of the same project, but will need the blessings of the mercurial Duterte, who, at least at first, was convinced that turboprops, by their performance characteristics, are more effective In combating the extremist groups Maute and Abu Sayyaf (linked to Al Qaeda ), which infest the southern part of the Philippine territory.In private conversations with his military chiefs and even in public statements, the president has already stated: he believes that turboprops are cheaper and easier to maintain and operate than jet planes.None of this means that the competition is conformed to the possible loss of the order of anti-guerrilla aircraft.In Manila, the lobby of the Sino-Pakistani JF-17 Thunder fighter (much cheaper than the South Korean FA-50 already imported by Duterte), insists on the thesis that the acquisition of these jets would open an important channel of cooperation between the Administration Philippine and the Beijing government.(Plano Brasil)

XTEK has on July 25th. formally signed the previously detailed contract to supply small unmanned aerial systems (SUAS) to the Australian Defence Force (ADF). Under the agreement, XTEK is the prime contractor and will deliver a range of products worth circa A$42 million to the ADF over three years, commencing 1 July 2018.AeroVironment, Inc. participated in the signing ceremony in Canberra for the formal execution of contracts (first announced June 1, 2017) to deliver Wasp® AE unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) to the Australian Defence Force (ADF) over a three-year period commencing July 1, 2018.AeroVironment is working closely with Australian partners XTEK, General Dynamics Mediaware and Sentient Vision to provide Wasp AE, a proven capability in service with militaries around the world, which will then be modified with Australian content to meet both ADF and Australia industry needs. XTEK and AeroVironment will provide local maintenance, training and field support to serve the immediate needs of ADF while expanding AeroVironment’s global support capabilities.“This contract to supply Wasp AE small UAV systems to support the Australian Defence Force is the result of 10 years of work with XTEK and the Commonwealth, including thorough operational testing, bringing small UAS compatible with the US operations to Australia, and adding capabilities from Australian companies,” said David Sharpin, vice-president of AeroVironment’s Tactical Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) business unit. “This collaboration reflects the unwavering commitment of all four companies and the ADF to support and protect the dedicated members of the Australian armed forces with the best UAS capabilities available in the world today – to help them proceed with certainty and ensure successful missions.”XTEK will act as the supplier of the WASP AE for AeroVironment. Philippe Odouard, managing director, commented“This is a very important day for the Australian Defence as XTEK and AeroVironment will deliver the WASP AE SUAS capability to all the relevant units in the Army.“It also offers a number of Australian designed and supplied items bringing a higher level of information gathering to the warfighter.”Maintenance contract expectedThe A$42 million estimated contract value excludes maintenance costs.An SUAS maintenance contract will be signed later to provide a local Australian maintenance and support capability to the ADF.(UASVision)

KRI Bima Suci whose delivery is planned this year, is a three-masted brigantine sailboat with 3,350 m2 of sail, 110 meters in length by 12 , 6 of mango and 5.5 of draft.

The sailboat equipped with five covers and able to accommodate a crew of 200 people between crew and cadets, will be supported by a diesel auxiliary engine of the MAN type Diesel & Turbo 6L/21/31 A six-cylinder in-line engine with a power output of 1320 KW.(cx9aaw)

29 Juli 2017

PAF NC-212i aircraft (photo : Detik)The delivery of Philippine Air Force’s two NC-212i short takeoff and landing (STOL) medium transport aircraft ordered from Indonesia state-owned PT Dirgantara Indonesia-Indonesian Aerospace may take place this third quarter.The Philippine government entered a contract with the said Indonesian firm for the supply of two NC-212 aircraft early 2014. Delivery was expected late 2015.MaxDefense Philippines said delivery may take place next month. MaxDefense said “PTDI failed to deliver the aircraft on time due to issues between PTDI and the approved autopilot supplier, who was bought by another company and was said to have not honored its commitments to PTDI, which led to the delay and blacklisting of PTDI.”“Blacklisting from Philippine government procurement board [is] coming to an end in 3 days,” MaxDefense said.However, according to a credible source of Update Philippines, delivery may take place in September.CASA C-212 Aviocar is a turboprop-powered STOL medium transport aircraft designed and built by CASA in Spain. Construcciones Aeronáuticas SA (CASA) became a subsidiary of European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS) in 1999 as EADS CASA, and in 2009 EADS CASA was absorbed by Airbus Military.At present, C-212s are also being produced under licence by Indonesian Aerospace under NC-212 family.(Update)

RAAF C-27J cockpit (photo : Hpeterswald)As part of the government’s second tranche of Defence Innovation Hub investments, a Sydney company will develop new technology for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) that can autonomously identify electronic threats.Saber Astronautics was awarded a $275,000 contract to develop the software to support the RAAF.The contract is the first phase of a three-phase project using the company's advanced machine learning capability.It is expected that the technology will not only have defence applications, but commercial, with Saber anticipating it will enable better communications between spacecraft operators and their satellites, especially during disruptive events such as solar flares.Saber's director and chief executive Dr Jason Held said the contract came at the right time as Australia is looking to advance its space industry and technology with International Astronautical Congress arriving in Adelaide in September."This is great timing as it allows us to develop a key technology for secure communications at exactly the time that the Australian market is heating up," said Dr Held."Commercial small satellites are more susceptible to solar storms but still need to produce clean data for customers on Earth. We’re particularly excited to explore this potential more broadly with the Australian Air Force."Saber Astronautics has nearly a decade of experience in applying machine learning to diagnostics, having demonstrated the technology previously on several NASA and commercial spacecraft. Using the technology to diagnose signals is a new application.The company's mission statement is to reduce barriers to space flight, making it more accessible to people on Earth.(DefenceConnect)

The RSN and RMN ships sailing out from Lumut Naval Base to exercise at the Malacca Strait. (photo : Sing Mindef)The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) and the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) participated in Exercise Malapura, a bilateral maritime exercise, from 18 to 28 July 2017. The opening ceremony, held on 19 July, was officiated by RSN Fleet Commander Rear-Admiral Cheong Kwok Chien and RMN Western Fleet Commander Vice-Admiral Dato' Mohamad Roslan bin Mohamad Ramli. The closing ceremony was held earlier today at the RSN's Fleet Command Building in RSS Singapura - Changi Naval Base.Conducted since 1984, this year's exercise was hosted by the RMN and involved about 600 personnel from both navies. The participants carried out joint planning and training at Lumut Naval Base, and conducted conventional naval warfare and maritime security drills in the Malacca Strait. The RSN participated with a frigate (RSS Formidable), a missile corvette (RSS Victory), a patrol vessel (RSS Resilience) and a Sikorsky S-70B Seahawk naval helicopter. The RMN was represented by a frigate (KD Lekiu), a corvette (KD Kasturi), a patrol vessel (KD Selangor) and a Super Lynx helicopter.

RSN S-70B ASW helicopter (photo : David Chua)Speaking on the successful completion of the exercise, Commander of the RSN Task Group, Colonel Anthony Lee said, "The good mutual understanding between our sailors was key to the successful conduct of this exercise. Both navies demonstrated high levels of interoperability during shore planning and various warfare serials at sea. This is testament of the good friendships and trust that have been forged over the years."

RMN Super Lynx ASW helicopter (photo : TLDM)The RSN and RMN interact regularly across a wide range of activities. These include professional exchanges and courses, as well as multilateral activities under the ambit of the Five Power Defence Arrangements and the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM)/ADMM-Plus. The two navies have also been working closely to enhance maritime security through the Malacca Straits Patrol. These regular interactions strengthen mutual understanding and professional ties among the personnel of both navies, and underscore the warm and long-standing defence ties between both navies.(Sing Mindef)

Boeing Insitu ScanEagle unmanned aerial vehicles (photo : DVIDS)Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana confirmed today that the United States is giving the Philippines Boeing Insitu ScanEagle unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) for reconnaissance and surveillance use.This is after the US turned over two new Cessna 208B “Caravan” intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft.“It be will be accepted by the Air Force [sometime this year]. This is aside the [Aerovironment RQ-11] Raven [hand-launched unmanned aerial vehicle] which was given for the use of the Marine Special Operations Group early this year,” he added.“[The Americans] have given us a lot of equipment [this year], they are all brand-new,” Lorenzana pointed out.ScanEagle is a small, long-endurance, low-altitude reconnaissance UAV and part of the ScanEagle Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS).Last June, Naval Air Systems Command of the United States Navy released a solicitation document for the procurement of undisclosed number of ScanEagle from Insitu for the Philippine government with estimated value of $13.5M. The contract involves ScanEagle UAVs, spares, support equipment, tools, training, and support services.IHS Jane’s estimated that with the mentioned estimated value, the Philippines will be getting 15 UAVs.“Based on the procurements of other nations – in 2014 Yemen signed for a system of 12 ScanEagle vehicles for USD11 million – the Philippines’ follow-on system is likely to be made up of about 15 vehicles,” said IHS Jane’s.(Update)

Indonesia is about to receive its first South Korean-made submarine, after a delay of more than four months. Delays have been caused by modifications made to the platform after its initial sea trials, said DSME (photo : pr1v4t33r)The Indonesian Navy (Tentara Nasional Indonesia – Angkatan Laut, or TNI-AL) and the Indonesian Ministry of Defence are currently preparing to receive the country’s first Type 209/1400 diesel-electric submarine (SSK) from South Korean company Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME), sources from within the naval service told Jane’s on 27 July.This information has since been corroborated with DSME’s officials, who confirmed that preparations are currently underway for the handover ceremony. “At the moment, [the work on] Nagapasa is completely finished, and [the vessel] is ready for delivery on 2nd August 2017”, said a DSME official who spoke to Jane’s on the same day.Nagapasa , which has been given the pennant number 403, is part of a KRW1.3 trillion (USD1.1 billion) contract signed between DSME and the Indonesian government in December 2011. The contract comes with a technology transfer arrangement, which will see the first and second vessels built in South Korea, while the third boat will be produced at Indonesian state-owned shipbuilder PT PAL's premises in Surabaya in collaboration with DSME.Nagapasa displaces approximately 1,280 tonnes when surfaced and 1,400 tonnes when dived. The vessel features an overall length of 61.2 m, an overall beam of 6.25 m, and a hull draught of 5.5 m. Powered by four MTU 12V493 diesel engines, the submarine can attain a top speed of 21.5 kt when dived, 11 kt when surfaced, and a maximum operating range of approximately 10,000 n miles at 10 kt while surfaced, according to specifications provided by DSME.(Jane's)

Mounted Family of Computer Systems (photo : US Army)ARLINGTON, VA, -- Leonardo DRS announced today that it will provide the Australian Army with its next-generation platform Battle Management System (BMS) hardware, called the Mounted Family of Computer Systems, or MFoCS, for its M1A1SA main battle tanks and associated combat vehicles.Leonardo DRS received a direct commercial sale in the amount of $3.1 million for the initial phase of the Australian Army Land 907 BMS program. This is the first order of the MFoCS system by the Australian Army which will provide its armored cavalry units improved connectivity within the Australian Defense Force as well as increased joint U.S. and coalition battle management system interoperability in the field. Leonardo DRS will produce MFoCS systems in its Melbourne, Florida facility and install the system in five locations across Australia.

M1A1SA Abrams (photo : Wayne Orellana)

“Leonardo DRS is proud to provide the proven MFoCS system to the Australian Army for many of its armored cavalry vehicles. We have a long history of providing its land forces with combat-proven hardware for a wide range of platforms,” said Jerry Hathaway, vice president and general manager of DRS Land Electronics business. “MFoCS is the most advanced family of ultra-rugged computers, providing the warfighters of our close allies with this technology gives us the satisfaction of knowing they have the right equipment to ensure mission success on the battlefield,” Hathaway said.The upgrade to MFoCS with dismountable tablets and rugged sunlight-readable touch-screen displays, will give users the capability to support, not only systems like Blue Force Tracking, but provides commanders with numerous options that provide increased joint, U.S., and coalition interoperability.MFoCS units are being installed across U.S. military services including aircraft, wheeled and tracked vehicles, tactical operations centers, and other mission command platforms. MFoCS was developed and produced based on knowledge and experience gained through over 18 years of delivering mission critical computing components for such programs as FBCB2, JBC-P, BFT, Movement Tracking System (MTS) Logistics as well as the UK Army Bowman program. Leonardo DRS has fielded more than 300,000 BMS computing and display systems worldwide.(Leonardo)